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How does a batter get a walk in baseball?

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Freddie Freeman of the Los Angeles Dodgers, wearing a white uniform and helmet, watches his hit while holding a bat during a game at Dodger Stadium. — Baseball Freddie Freeman, shown here in a 2023 game, was named World Series MVP in 2024 after hitting four home runs and driving in 12 runs for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

In baseball, a batter is awarded a walk—officially known as a base on balls—when they receive four pitches during a single turn at bat that are called "balls" by the umpire.12

A pitch is designated as a ball if the batter does not swing at it and the ball does not pass through the strike zone over home plate. Once the fourth ball is called, the batter is entitled to advance safely to first base.21